This is the Vortech GMT from Momentum, an outdoor-focussed brand from Vancouver, BC that we quite like. Let’s start with some specifications:
- Titanium case, 44.0mm by 11.9mm, 53.1mm lug to lug. 7mm screw-down crown, 22mm lugs, total width 48.0mm including crown. 66g on the strap.
- Available with mineral or sapphire crystal
- Swiss quartz movement with GMT and extra-loud alarm and snooze and low-battery indicator
- SuperLuminova lume on hands and dial
- Subseconds at two o’clock
- Water resistant to 100m (330ft)
- 2 year warrant with 4/6 year extension
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Helson watches is one of the relatively new group of small dive watch brands which has cropped up in the wake of expanding production capabilities in China that offer competent manufacturing and quality control processes to those willing to design a watch primarily made of catalog components (case, bracelet, etc). The dive watch collector base is ravenous and fairly large so there are many companies which have sprouted up in the last five years to offer nicely made and fully capable sport watches for a less-than-Swiss price. Helson offers a fairly wide range of divers but the model that most interested us was Shark Diver 42 which offered a tool style dive watch in a more wrist friendly 42 mm case, a range of dial colors and even a choice of automatic movements.
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JeanRichard is one of the more overlooked of the Swiss luxury brands, seldom seeing the fan fare that Omega, Rolex or even Tag Heuer enjoy. The brand is the result of a JeanRichard family presence in watchmaking which, according to the brand’s website, dates back to 1681. Today, JeanRichard has a large collection of watches spanning three model ranges which are exclusively powered by their own in-house movements. At SIHH this year, JeanRichard announced a new model in their Diverscope line of cushion case dive watches, the Diverscope LPR.
This new Diverscope features the use of a conventional stainless steel case and a trick linear power reserve (hence the LPR) which changes the numeral at 12 o’clock from white to black as the power reserve empties. The case is 43 mm wide and 13.4 mm thick with a water resistance rating of 300 meters.
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While Watch Report has covered a series of
Victorinox watches we have yet to review any of their mechanical chronographs and this is an omission we were excited to remedy when Victorinox announced new additions to the Infantry Vintage line. Fortunately, Victorinox was willing to loan us one of their newest models, the Infantry Vintage Mechanical Chronograph. With the exception of a date function, the chronograph is likely one of the most popular complications and after spending some time with the Infantry Vintage, we can certainly understand why. Chronographs are both fun and functional, part mechanical marvel, part practical tool. Has Victorinox succeeded in porting that analog enjoyment directly to our wrists with this new addition to the Infantry Vintage line? In a word, yes.
Archer Watches is a tiny independent watch brand located in St.Thomas, Ontario, Canada. Archer Watches is a one man operation, its staff consisting solely of a watchmaker named Al Jenskey. I had the pleasure of meeting Al at a Timezone dinner this past October and not only did I enjoy the opportunity to see much of the Archer range in person, but also to experience Al’s passion for watches and watchmaking. Al assembles all of the Archer models, which range from aviators and more dressy designs, by hand in his workshop. The Sterling fits into the casual space between dressy and sport and is a sound example of the marine officer style which offers excellent legibility and refined classic detailing.
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Earlier this year, Paul reviewed the
Casio PRW-5000 which is the analog flagship in the Pro Trek range. Paul found the 5000 to be his favorite model from the Pro Trek line up, enjoying the style and features it offers. Casio was kind enough to send us their newest iteration in the “all-digital” side of the Pro Trek line, the PRW-2500T. The 2500T aims to be the best featured and easiest to use of Casio’s tough-guy Pro Treks. This new model builds on the success of the PRG-240 by incorporating a titanium bracelet, an updated screen and an enhanced user interface which makes information more accessible and increasingly viewable.
According to Greek mythology, Prometheus was a Titan that ruled with others in the Golden Age. Famous for stealing fire from Zeus and giving it back to the mortals, Prometheus was sentenced to an eternal punishment and daily torture. None of this really applies to the world of Indie watch brands except that Prometheus is also the name of a watch manufacturer. The boutique dive watch market has exploded in the past few years to bring you countless and varied options for your next automatic dive watch. Among the fray is Prometheus watches and they recently created a new 1000m dive watch called the Manta Ray. The Manta Ray is a large and industrial looking dive watch that suits the brand’s name as it seems to have been built to suit a Titan’s wrist.
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For those of you that are frequent readers you’ll know we have a soft spot for military styling and a firm belief that some of the best value in the watch market is found well under $1000. We have reviewed a few Victorinox watches in the past so when their hot new Original line started to hit shelves we knew just who to call to get one in for review. The Original is part of the “Active” line from Victorinox and is a good example of the brands varied styling and understanding of their core audience. Victorinox sent us the all black model which comes mounted to a simple black nato strap that really completes its military aesthetic.
One of the first decent watches I ever bought was a Seiko SKX007 diver. Its a lovely watch that can be had for very cheap but still carries the iconic Seiko diver styling, an excellent bezel, and great lume. The SKX series is arguably one of the most popular “gateway watches” that bring enthusiasts from cheap fashion brands into the exciting but often debilitating hobby of watch collecting.
Specific models like my 007 or the “Monster” SKX781/SKX779 are considered to be some of the best value that can be had in dive watches. These watches feature dependable and simple movements, 200m dive-ready construction, and sport excellent bezels and bracelets. I don’t believe there is a single “what should I buy for $200” thread on any watch forum on the internet that doesn’t have mention of a Seiko SKX diver. Seiko has realized this popularity and now makes a line of watches in their entry-level “Seiko 5 Sports” range that features much of the Monster styling at a lesser price. These new models fall into the SNZF range and today we will take a closer look at the SNZF45, aka the “white baby monster”.
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Timex is a brand everyone knows because of their digital watches which have been enjoyed by millions thanks to their reliability, simplicity and low cost. The Timex Ironman is a perfect watch for an owner that is not all that concerned with their watch, save for its ability to communicate the time. While they aren’t fancy, they are a known quantity in the market. In this way, the Timex digital watch is to watches what the Toyota Corolla is to cars. They are generally bland and will likely carry out their intended duty in a reliable but fairly soulless manner. With that in mind it may surprise you to find out that Timex still makes some noteworthy watches. Consider, if you will, the Timex Military Classic:
- 45.5 x 12.8 mm
- 52.5 mm l2l
- 22mm lugs
- 3 hand quartz
- PVD stainless steel case
- Mineral crystal
- Indiglo back light
- 100m WR
- MSRP $100
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This is the Vortech GMT from Momentum, an outdoor-focussed brand from Vancouver, BC that we quite like. Let’s start with some specifications:
